Morgan’s Version:

I remember vividly the warmth and comfort I felt during my first conversation with Thomas. We met during the first day of a wellness retreat in Loveland, Colorado with the foothills of the Rocky Mountains surrounding us. There was an ease in our conversation over dinner, despite our different paths that led us to that place. The group of attendees were the first to attend that retreat since the Covid pandemic impacted life and travel as we had known it, and there was a special quality to my time spent there. The time to reflect in the mountains helped me find clarity and healing during a challenging season of life. Thomas and I bonded over our shared pursuit of personal growth and the enjoyment of the outdoors. After the retreat ended, our conversations continued, and a deep connection began. Friendship evolved into something more profound, as we discovered kindred spirits in each other. The miles between us were bridged by countless hours spent on the phone. In those moments, as we shared laughter and dreams, I knew that Thomas was more than just a friend; he was the missing piece of my heart.

After dating long distance for several months, we began envisioning what our futures could look like together. Last summer, with Thomas captaining the U-Haul, I made the move out to New Hampshire to start merging our lives together in an everyday way. I’ve lived in many places, from the Midwest to Florida to Colorado, but being with Thomas feels like home no matter where we are. Last year when I injured my lower back, I had a glimpse of how deeply I could count on him to look out for me in both the good times and bad. Life inevitably brings challenges, and I feel blessed to care for each other throughout the ups and the downs ahead of us. I admire many things about Thomas, like his devotion to his kids, his passion for coaching, his discipline for striving towards big goals, and his empathy towards others. His love brings out the best in me, and I’m lucky to call him my husband-to-be. As we begin our lives together, I look forward to being side by side for all of life’s moments, both big and small.